Go into this industry out of passion.. nothing else.

Even when things were good, the ones who were successful had the drive to see it through. I started as an aircraft mechanic and have been flying for over 20 yrs now.. I wouldn't do anything else. I've recently decided that commercial flying isn't for me. To be honest.. it's boring, you're under paid, and allot of your peers are whining prima donnas (for those of you fresh out of flying academy X, Y, or Z, that's \ˌpri-mə-ˈdä-nə, : a vain or undisciplined person who finds it difficult to work under direction or as part of a team... you can see it in some of the posts you read here.. especially in the regional section..), Most guys are the coolest people you could ever work with.. buy there are some tools out there...
so I left a very lucrative captain seat to fly in the private/contractor sector. The flying is interesting and less restrictive. I like this since it is closer to the military flying I loved.. There are lots of non airline jobs out there if you just enjoy the flying. The airlines definitely have their perks, but there is more out there.
Chase your dream.. but I recommend going into the military. It is the coolest experience I've every had. Where else can you fly, drink, fornicate, and fight, on every continent for a paycheck that exceeds most jobs out there now. It's not for everyone, but it's an opportunity with a shelf date.. Get in before you're 27. All of the branches are hiring.. the deployments are actually fun if your attitude is right. Good luck.